Latest news with #EEAS
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
EU chief for Asia-Pacific set to leave role after China summit, sources say
The European Union 's top official for Asia is to leave his role after a summit with China next week to take up a post in Sweden, the Post has learned. Niclas Kvarnström , managing director for Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Service, the bloc's diplomatic corps, is returning to his homeland for a senior position in the government there, according to nine people familiar with the situation. A summit in Beijing on July 24 will be his last official engagement in the role, a fitting finale for a diplomat who has helped steer the EU through ever-trickier ties with China . A search will then begin for his successor, with deputy managing director Paola Pampaloni set to take the helm on an interim basis. Kvarnström, a fluent Chinese speaker, has become a respected and influential figure over two years working in the top Asia job in Brussels, before which he was head of the Asia-Pacific department of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There, he played a key role in organising the EU's first Indo-Pacific summit in Stockholm in 2023. Another such summit is planned for November under the steer of the EEAS with assistance from the Danish government, which is the holder of the rotating EU presidency. One insider said the departure was 'quite sudden', while several suggested that the Swede would leave a big hole in the EU's small China policymaking machine, despite his relatively short stint there.
Euractiv
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Euractiv
EU to propose options paper on Israel over Gaza next week
The EU is expected next week to lay out a range of around five possible measures against Israel over its conduct in Gaza, though the bloc's deep divisions suggest that few, if any, will be adopted. An internal EU review of Israel's trade agreement with the bloc, seen by Euractiv last month, had found "indications of a breach" of the human rights commitments outlined under the deal. Now, the EU's diplomatic service (EEAS) is expected to present an options paper with possible measures to the bloc's ambassadors next Wednesday, according to officials familiar with the discussions. The options paper is expected to include a full or partial suspension of the agreement, sanctions on individuals such as Israeli government ministers, military personnel or Israeli extremist settlers, trade measures, an arms embargo, or a suspension of scientific cooperation between the two. While most of those options have been floated in previous talks, this is the first time they are being formally laid out in writing. EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the options paper at their 15 July meeting in Brussels – the last before the summer break. The same day also serves as an informal deadline for Israel to demonstrate improvements in Gaza's humanitarian situation. Israel has slammed the EU review as "outrageous" and "full of methodological shortcomings." 'The first goal is to change behaviour on the ground (...). If the situation does not improve, then we can discuss further measures," the top EU's diplomat, Kaja Kallas, told reporters last month. In recent weeks, an EU technical team led by the bloc's Middle East envoy, Christophe Bigot, has been sent to Israel to negotiate with the Israeli side, though officials remain sceptical about securing concrete commitments. "We still hope that there can be some sort of deal with them," an EU official confirmed. While Brussels has presented the review as a tool to alleviate civilian suffering in Gaza, EU countries said last month they remain deeply divided on whether to follow through with actual sanctions. EU leaders, wary of inflaming tensions, have so far avoided signalling any firm position, merely inviting foreign ministers to 'continue discussions on a follow-up' depending on developments on the ground in Gaza. A full suspension of the association agreement – or even a partial freeze of its foreign policy provisions – would require unanimous approval from EU states, which remains very unlikely given opposition from key allies such as Germany, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. The Commission, which is responsible for the bloc's trade policy, is also thought to oppose sweeping economic measures. An arms embargo appears likewise remote, particularly as Germany, Israel's largest European arms supplier, is unlikely to sign off. Nonetheless, targeted sanctions on individuals, such as those already imposed by the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, are seen as the most politically feasible option, EU diplomats say. (mm)
Qatar Tribune
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar, European External Action Service hold round of political consultations
DOHA: The fourth round of political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European External Action Service (EEAS) was held in Doha. The Qatari side was headed by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, and the European side was headed by EEAS Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs Olof Skoog. The political consultations discussed relations and ways to support and enhance them.
Euronews
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
EU summit: Leaders meet to talk Israel, Gaza, Ukraine and sanctions
The 27 leaders of the European Union have arrived in Brussels for what is expected to be a one-day summit with a heavy geopolitical flavour, covering the Israel-Iran conflict, the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the battered state of the transatlantic alliance in the new Donald Trump era, all of which have compounded the sense of alarm and uncertainty across capitals. Tariffs, migration, competitiveness and the 2040 target under the Green Deal are also set to make an appearance during the closed-door discussions on Thursday. The summit comes two days after Trump announced a tentative ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which appears to be holding despite high tensions between both sides. The announcement was warmly welcomed by Europeans, who had worried about a dangerous spillover effect with unpredictable consequences. The cessation of hostilities will allow greater focus on another Middle East-related issue that continues to divide the bloc: Israel's war on Gaza. Last week, the European External Action Service (EEAS) presented its much-anticipated review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, finding "indications" that the country had breached its human rights obligations under Article 2. Building upon the work of international organisations, the seven-page review provides an extensive list of violations, including the blockade of humanitarian assistance, military attacks against hospitals, the forced displacement of the Palestinian population, mass arrests, arbitrary detentions and violent acts committed by Israeli settlers. Member states are split on what to do next, however: some countries advocate a concrete response, while others would prefer to take no action. The latest version of the conclusions, seen by Euronews, reflects the internal dilemma: the text simply "takes note" of the review and "invites" foreign ministers to a "follow-up" discussion in mid-July. "There has been a review that is undeniable," said a senior diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. "There will never be a consensus in the European Union to suspend the agreement. But you need to do certain things because there is a problem. There are 55,000 people dead." A diplomat from another country urged Brussels to engage in dialogue with Israel to find ways to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but warned that "measures" might be taken in mid-July if there is no tangible progress on the ground. Orbán and Fico team up Russia's invasion of Ukraine will also occupy a great share of the political debate on Thursday, even if the Middle East has lately shifted the bloc's geopolitical focus. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to address leaders in the room via video conference to discuss the latest developments on the battlefield, his country's financial health and the urgency to step up military support. Another high-priority issue that Zelenskyy is likely to raise in his intervention is Ukraine's EU candidacy, which remains virtually frozen due to Hungary's unassailable veto. The stalemate is set to worsen after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán presents the results of a controversial national consultation that his government launched to gauge the opinion of Hungarian citizens regarding Ukraine's accession. The consultation was preceded by an incendiary campaign led by the premier himself, replete with accusations directed at "bureaucrats" of Brussels. At the same time, Orbán, together with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, his increasingly close ally, will make the case against the European Commission's proposed roadmap to phase out all imports of Russian fossil fuels by the end of 2027. Both landlocked countries still rely on Russian energy and warn that the phase-out risks endangering their energy security and raising consumer prices. Slovakia has asked for unspecified "guarantees" to cope with potential "negative impacts", a wording that some in Brussels interpret as a request for money or exemptions – or both. Complicating matters, Orbán and Fico have linked the phase-out with the approval of the next package of sanctions against Russia, which is ready to go after days of intense negotiations. Should the two prime ministers feel satisfied at the end of Thursday, ambassadors could formally approve the restrictions as early as Friday. "We want this (package) to have a direct, more decisive impact. Not just on how to put pressure on Russia's revenues and access to products, but on our immediate objective, which is a ceasefire," said a third diplomat. The sanctions, though, are all but guaranteed to lose an important element: a revision of the price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel. After the US refused to endorse the initiative at the G7 summit and the Middle East crisis caused turbulence in the oil markets, some member states got cold feet about the prospect of going it alone. As a result, the $45 cap is considered effectively dead.
The National
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Spain calls for immediate suspension of EU-Israel relations 'over human rights violations'
Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares on Monday called for the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement after a report said there were indications Israel was in breach of human rights rules. The report, which could imperil EU-Israel relations, was being studied by the bloc's foreign ministers, though diplomats expect no proposals for concrete action until next month. Spain and Ireland, two countries that first called for a review of relations with Israel a year and a half ago, have said they want a full suspension of relations. 'Today is just the day to acknowledge what we all knew many months ago. There are violations of human rights,' Mr Albares said. 'If the association agreement is based on human rights, it's the most normal thing that we suspend immediately, today, this association agreement.' He also called for an embargo on EU countries selling weapons to Israel and for the widening of individual sanctions on anyone undermining the proposed two-state solution. Spain has already cancelled arms deals with Israel. The consequences are about trying to change behaviour, trying to use every lever at our disposal to end the genocidal activity that we're seeing in Gaza Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris According to the review by the EU's diplomatic corps, the European External Action Service (EEAS), 'there are indications that Israel would be in breach of its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement'. The report pointed to Israel's blockade of aid in Gaza, the high number of casualties and attacks on medical facilities. Its sources include the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Court of Justice. The death toll in Gaza is close to 56,000 after 20 months of Israeli military action. In recent weeks, hundreds have been killed near aid distribution sites run by the US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The suspension of ties would require a unanimous decision, which would probably be impossible to obtain given that countries such as Austria, Germany and Hungary tend to back Israel. Most EU countries reject the idea of breaking off contact with Israel, including the Netherlands – the state which led the most recent call for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement in March after Israel breached a ceasefire in Gaza. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he was against suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement. 'Our position is different from that of Spain,' Mr Tajani said, adding that it was important to keep relations open with Israel because it had been of use in the evacuation of some civilians out of Gaza. His Irish counterpart, Simon Harris, said he 'personally' supports a full suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement, but recognised 'there would not be consensus for that. That would require unanimity.' 'The consequences aren't about punishment,' Mr Harris said, in response to a question from The National. 'The consequences are about trying to change behaviour, trying to use every lever at our disposal to end the genocidal activity that we're seeing in Gaza.' EU ministers will meet again in July, which is when they are expected to discuss 'potential options in reaction to the conclusions of the review', an EU diplomat said before the meeting. The EU has repeatedly called for Israel to allow unhindered humanitarian aid into Gaza, to little avail. 'It will not be consensual, but we hope that a big group of member states can subscribe to the conclusion of the review,' the diplomat said. The EU-Israel Association Agreement, which gives Israeli goods preferential access to the EU market, is rooted in respect for human rights by both parties. A third of Israel's imports come from the EU, valued at $27 billion annually, while Europe imports less than 1 per cent of its goods from Israel, according to the EU Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security. A review was requested in March by the Netherlands and supported by 17 out of 27 EU states. Those who opposed it included Germany. 'When all the focus is on Iran and the escalation regarding Iran, we should not forget about Gaza,' said the Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who led the charge for the review. While a unanimous vote would be needed to suspend the EU-Israel agreement entirely, a partial suspension is possible with a simple majority vote. Diplomats have declined to speculate on that possibility due to the sensitivity of the topic, and have said they will wait for the EEAS's recommendations. The EEAS delivered the eight-page report to states on Friday. Some countries complained that they were not given enough time to study it before Monday's meeting of foreign ministers. A senior EEAS official dismissed that, saying: 'Sometimes it takes [a] long [time], sometimes it takes [a] shorter [time]. That is also how it works when you have difficult documents and make sure also that the right assessment is being made again.' Israel has criticised the report's conclusions. 'This report and its conclusions should not be taken seriously or used as a basis for any future actions or conversations,' Israel said in a letter to the EU Commission and the EEAS, according to Euronews. 'Decency would dictate addressing the report's shortcomings and dismissing it in its entirety,' it said.
